Sealing Deal
Supporting Underrepresented Students
in Accessing College
the
Jenni Johnson, Princess King, and John Pickett
• Identify and share program challenges to college access
for underrepresented student populations
• Identify and share program successes to college access
for underrepresented student populations
• Identify and share resources to overcome challenges and
replicate successes
• Leave feeling you have learned new approaches to
accomplishing your work, have connected with colleagues
who have common challenges, and can continue the
synergy and exchange of ideas beyond this session!
Who are underrepresented students?
• Potential First-Generation College Students
• Students of Color
• Students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds
FY 2015
Income
Limit Area
Median
Income
FY 2015
Income
Limit
Category
Persons in Family
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Alamance
County$53,300
Very Low
(50%)
Income
Limits ($)
18,700 21,350 24,000 26,650 28,800 30,950 33,050 35,200
Extremely
Low
Income
Limits ($)*
11,770 15,930 20,090 24,250 28,410 30,950* 33,050* 35,200*
Low (80%)
Income
Limits ($)
29,900 34,150 38,400 42,650 46,100 49,500 52,900 56,300
https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il/il2015/2015summary.odn
Alamance County, NC Income Limits
The mission of the Elon Academy is to inspire academically oriented students, who are often
underrepresented on college and university campuses, to pursue higher education, build leadership skills, and
develop an active sense of social responsibility
Foundations of Elon Academy
• Academic strengthening
• Leadership development
• College-going knowledge &
culture
• Civic engagement
• Family involvement
• Love for learning
Program Structure
• Phase I
• College Access
• Three year program for HS sophomores, juniors and seniors
• Phase II
• Transitions Program
• One summer focus on high school graduates
• Phase III
• College Success
• Mentoring and support during college
• Application & selection process
• Family participation
• Accommodations for Spanish-speaking families
• Year-round programming
• 3-Year College Planning Curriculum & College Planning Team
• Academic courses in summer allow students to build confidence, accept feedback, and implement feedback.
• Near-Peer Mentoring Relationships/Retention of CAT Mentors
• Wiki reporting/proactive nature of our program
• Emphasis on counseling/counselor on staff
• Relationships with schools
• High number of students in honors, AP, and dual enrollment courses
• Clear programmatic expectations/cultural guidelines/”EA Way”
• Clearly defined staff roles
• College visits
• Service opportunities embedded into program
• Retention and persistence of high school and college students
• Transitions to College Retreat for rising college first years
• Use of older scholars/alums to share success stories and serve as inspiration
Program
Successes
Group Agenda:
Challenges
Step 1: Groups begin brainstorming a list of challenges. After each group compiles a list pick 2-3 common challenges & the presenter paired w/ that group reports those challenges to the larger group on chart paper.
Step 2: After all challenges have been shared, members of the larger group are invited to give solutions to combat any specific challenges
Group Agenda:
Successes
Step 1: Groups begin brainstorming a list of successes. After each group compiles list, pick 2-3 successes to share. The presenter paired with each group will instruct participants to explain what the success means so he/she can correctly convey it to the group.
Step 2: After all successes have been shared, the larger group will be given an opportunity to ask more detailed information about any success. The participant can then explain more about his/her success.
Group Agenda:
Resources
Step 1: Groups brainstorm their own resources. Each
presenter compiles a list of resources and any pertinent
information about the resources. Presenters will email a list
of resources to everyone in attendance.
Elon Academy Resources
Organizational
• Student Families
• College/University Advocate
• EA College Students
• Staff Psychologist
• Application Process/Info Sessions
• Academic Coaches (tutors)
• Near Peer Mentors (CAT)
• College Planning Curriculum
• University Support (Facilities-Technology)
• Flexible Schedule
Community
• Public Library
• Elon University Library
• Alamance Partnership for Children
• College Access Agencies (TRiO)
• Local Civic Organizations (Kiwanis, Civitan, Ruitan)
• Nonprofit Organizations (United Way, Young Musicians of Alamance)
• Service Partners (Habitat for Humanity)
• Local Business Partners (LabCorp)
Websites
• Underrepresented
• Imfirst.org
• Collegegreenlight.com
• Undocumented•http://www.ncsl.org/documents/immig/InStateTuition_july212015.pdf
•Uleadnet.org
•Thedream.us
•DACA Scholars App
•Mydocumentedlife.org
• General•Collegeresults.org
• Pbworks.com
• Elon.edu/elonacademy
• Raise.me
What’s on your
mind?